The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully produced stereo movies (3 dimensional movies) of the Moon's surface by using stereoscopic images obtained with the Terrain Camera (TC) onboard the KAGUYA just prior to its controlled impact to the Moon on June 11, 2009 (JST). The KAGUYA was launched by JAXA on September 14, 2007. The movie was composed using TC cameras that respectively face slightly diagonally forward and aft of the satellite about 12 minutes prior to the KAGUYA's controlled impact on the Moon. Because the KAGUYA was in a very lower altitude orbit, the spatial resolution of 3D images taken this time was higher than previously captured data. Thus we can see the very precious features on the Moon's surface thanks to this low altitude observation.

After acquiring the data, the KAGUYA flew into the shaded area where it ultimately hit the Moon, hence it became too dark for the KAGUYA's optical cameras to capture the Moon's surface data. Therefore, observation data by one of the TC cameras soon after capturing the observation data for 3D images were the very last shots of the Moon by the TC. On the other hand, the Multi-band Imager (MI) also successfully obtained final data one revolution before the TC did.

You can enjoy the 3D movie by the TC through the following JAXA website: Digital Archives, the KAGUYA Image Gallery, and the JAXA channel on YouTube. We will release KAGUYA processed data for science research through the Internet from Nov. 1. We will also hold a public event to report the achievements of the KAGUYA in Akihabara (Tokyo) between July 18 and 19, 2009.